Is Scar Revision Painful?

Scar revision is typically not painful due to local anesthesia or sedation during the procedure. You may feel some pressure or discomfort, but the pain is minimal. After the procedure, it’s normal to experience mild soreness, swelling, and bruising around the treated area, especially in the first few days. Your surgeon will prescribe pain medication to manage any discomfort. As healing progresses, the pain should significantly decrease. It’s important to follow aftercare instructions, including how to care for the area, to help minimize pain and ensure the best results.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

For scar revision, you’ll typically need at least two appointments. Depending on the complexity of the revision, additional follow-up appointments may be scheduled. These visits are crucial to ensure the scar is healing correctly and to make any necessary adjustments. For optimal results, you’ll usually see your facial plastic surgeon a few times throughout the recovery period.

How Long Until I See Results?

After scar revision, it can take several months to fully see the results as the scar gradually fades and heals. Initially, the area may appear red or raised, but the scar will soften, flatten, and blend more naturally with your skin tone over time. Most patients begin noticing significant improvements within 3 to 6 months, though full results may take up to a year or more. Our post-operative team will guide you through the healing process and help you set realistic expectations for the outcome.

Can I Combine Scar Revision With Other Procedures?

Yes, scar revision can be combined with treatments like facelifts , eyelid surgery , or other skin resurfacing procedures for a more comprehensive rejuvenation.

What Are the Risks Associated With Scar Revision?

The risks associated with scar revision vary depending on your treatment type. Following your provider’s post-care instructions is crucial for achieving the best results. Topical treatments generally carry the fewest risks. The most common side effects are mild discomfort or skin irritation, such as a rash (contact dermatitis). Injections and resurfacing treatments may cause temporary redness, swelling, blistering, and increased sensitivity to sunlight. Additionally, these treatments could alter the color of the scar, sometimes making it darker than the surrounding skin. Scar revision surgery carries the highest risk, including infection, bleeding, and the possibility that the scar could return or a new scar might form. Dr. Brandon and Dr. Gangnes at Facial Aesthetic Concepts will work with you to minimize these risks and ensure the best possible outcome.

Scar Revision

In Orange County

Introduction

Introduction to Scar Revision

At Facial Aesthetic Concepts, Dr. Bryan Brandon and Dr. Richard A. Gangnes offer personalized scar revision treatments, helping patients feel more confident in their skin. With years of experience and a skilled approach, they use advanced techniques to enhance the look of scars—refining texture, color, and overall appearance. Scars from surgery, trauma, or acne are addressed with precision, always with a focus on natural, balanced results. Your surgeon collaborates with you through a thoughtful consultation to create a tailored treatment plan, restoring your skin’s smoother, more refined look.

Dr. Gangnes, a surgeon, performs a delicate procedure in the operating room. The image highlights the surgeon's focus and the sterile environment of the surgical setting. - Scar Revision in San Clamente, Aliso Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

What is Scar Revision?

Scar revision is designed to refine the look of scars, helping them fade into the surrounding skin for a more natural appearance. This procedure is popular among people with scars from past surgeries, injuries, acne, or other skin issues that leave visible marks. The aim of scar revision isn’t to erase the scar completely but rather to soften its appearance by adjusting its shape, size, or position, making it far less noticeable.

What Are the Benefits of Scar Revision?

Scar revision can reduce scar visibility and minimize discomfort. Specifically, it can help improve scar color, size, stiffness, texture, and thickness.

By addressing these key factors, scar revision provides a personalized, comprehensive approach that enhances scars’ aesthetic appearance and functionality, improving a patient’s comfort and confidence.

Who Are the Best Candidates For Scar Revision?

The best candidates for scar revision are individuals with scars that impact their appearance or functionality and who are looking to improve the scar’s appearance or feel. Ideal candidates include:

People with scars that are large or noticeable
Those with raised or thick scars
People with scars that affect mobility
Individuals with uneven or textured scars
Those in good health
Non-smokers or those who can stop smoking

Before deciding, it’s important to consult with a plastic surgeon to assess whether scar revision is appropriate for your unique situation and goals.

Let’s Get Started

What’s the First Step?

The first step in scar revision at Facial Aesthetic Concepts is to schedule a personalized consultation. During this visit, Dr. Brandon or Dr. Gangnes will carefully assess the scar’s characteristics—its size, shape, location, and age—while considering your skin type and medical history. He’ll discuss your goals for scar improvement and recommend the most suitable revision technique, surgical excision, laser treatment, or another method.

Your surgeon will also explain the expected recovery process and provide a clear timeline for results. This initial consultation is your opportunity to have all your questions answered and ensure that the plan aligns with your needs and expectations.

What to Expect on the Day of Scar Revision Surgery

On the day of your scar revision surgery, you’ll begin by meeting with your surgeon and his team to review the treatment plan and ensure everything is in order. They will explain the procedure, answer last-minute questions, and help you feel comfortable before starting.

Scar revision surgery is generally performed under local anesthesia with sedation, meaning you’ll be relaxed but awake during the procedure. In some cases, general anesthesia may be used, depending on the complexity and location of the scar. Your scar area will be meticulously examined, and precise incisions will be made to minimize tension on the skin and improve its appearance.

Afterward, dressings or bandages will be applied to protect the treated area and ensure proper healing.

Scar Revision Recovery

Our post-surgical team will provide you with aftercare instructions to reduce the risk of infection and promote healing. Most patients can return to normal activities within a week but should avoid strenuous exercise and direct sunlight for 4–6 weeks.

Transparent Pricing

How Much Does Scar Revision Cost in Orange County, CA?

The cost of scar revision surgery in areas like San Clemente, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, and greater Orange County ranges between $2,000 and $5,000. To obtain a more accurate estimate, we recommend scheduling a consultation so that we can create your custom procedure plan.

Why Choose Facial Aesthetic Concepts?

For over 40 years, Facial Aesthetic Concepts has been helping people look and feel their best for decades in the heart of Orange County and Los Angeles. Whether you want to refresh your appearance with a facelift, microlift, or rhinoplasty, our team is here to make it happen.

As a dual board-certified facial plastic surgeon and original founder of Facial Aesthetic Concepts, Dr. Gangnes is a member of the American Board of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (ABO-HNS), the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS), and the American College of Surgeons (FACS).

Dr. Bryan Brandon earned a degree in biomedical engineering and completed rigorous medical training at UC Irvine. He further refined his skills with a prestigious fellowship in New York under Dr. Vito Quatela, a globally recognized leader in facial surgery. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) and is also a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon with the American Board of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (ABO-HNS) and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS).

Scar Revision FAQ’S

Scar revision is typically not painful due to local anesthesia or sedation during the procedure. You may feel some pressure or discomfort, but the pain is minimal. After the procedure, it’s normal to experience mild soreness, swelling, and bruising around the treated area, especially in the first few days. Your surgeon will prescribe pain medication to manage any discomfort. As healing progresses, the pain should significantly decrease. It’s important to follow aftercare instructions, including how to care for the area, to help minimize pain and ensure the best results.
For scar revision, you’ll typically need at least two appointments. Depending on the complexity of the revision, additional follow-up appointments may be scheduled. These visits are crucial to ensure the scar is healing correctly and to make any necessary adjustments. For optimal results, you’ll usually see your facial plastic surgeon a few times throughout the recovery period.
After scar revision, it can take several months to fully see the results as the scar gradually fades and heals. Initially, the area may appear red or raised, but the scar will soften, flatten, and blend more naturally with your skin tone over time. Most patients begin noticing significant improvements within 3 to 6 months, though full results may take up to a year or more. Our post-operative team will guide you through the healing process and help you set realistic expectations for the outcome.
The risks associated with scar revision vary depending on your treatment type. Following your provider’s post-care instructions is crucial for achieving the best results.

Topical treatments generally carry the fewest risks. The most common side effects are mild discomfort or skin irritation, such as a rash (contact dermatitis).

Injections and resurfacing treatments may cause temporary redness, swelling, blistering, and increased sensitivity to sunlight. Additionally, these treatments could alter the color of the scar, sometimes making it darker than the surrounding skin.

Scar revision surgery carries the highest risk, including infection, bleeding, and the possibility that the scar could return or a new scar might form. Dr. Brandon and Dr. Gangnes at Facial Aesthetic Concepts will work with you to minimize these risks and ensure the best possible outcome.

Schedule A
Consultation

To start your scar revision treatment, consult Dr. Gangnes or Dr. Brandon at Facial Aesthetic Concepts. Whether you need non-surgical treatments like topical therapies or injections or you’re considering a more advanced procedure, your surgeon will ensure you have a clear understanding of the process. Schedule your appointment today and take the first step toward smoother, more confident skin.